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Publication Date

11-2024

As marine mammals navigate their environment, they may likely encounter areas that are both sparsely and heavily populated with human activity. For the latter, marine mammals are increasingly entering urban populated areas where the marine landscape has been significantly transformed both physically and ecologically. At select locations in New York City (NYC), Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) frequent the NYC waterways during the winter months. Due to the public interest in these species, and the growing human population with its consequent development of shared habitats, it is critical that we understand the relationship between humans and these pinnipeds. We therefore stress the importance of understanding the history of NYC ecology relating to these waterways and advocate for the increased study of habitat use by seals, especially in the New York Bight apex (NYBA). Their return to New York City demonstrates survival strategies and adaptations in an urban environment and how they are adapting to dynamic and frequently changing environmental conditions. To date, there has been no published data of seals within the smaller channels of New York City, but our own observations from traveling within these smaller tributaries provide anecdotal evidence for the likelihood that individuals traverse the urban environment for migration and transportation and highlight the need for further research to ensure continued success of these shared habitats in one of the busiest shipping waterways on the eastern seaboard.

DOI

10.15365/cate.2024.170204

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